West Country serves up a checklist of charms

LOOKING for a British holiday destination that has it all — colourful harbours, gorgeous beaches, fantastic food and bucketfuls of charm?

Then it’s time track down a West Country cottage or hotel stay for an easy-going break.

SCRUMPTIOUS Devon offers sandy coves, coastal strolls, quaint thatched pubs and rich cream teas with jam on top.

Choose from the surf-washed north, noble wilderness of Dartmoor, the elegant resorts of East Devon, such as Regency Sidmouth, and the palm trees and perfect beaches of Torbay.

Teignmouth, in South Devon, is in the spotlight this week, with yesterday’s cinema release of The Mercy. Based on the story of lone yachtsman Donald Crowhurst, who fooled the world he was winning a round-the-world race, the film is partly set in the town and stars Colin Firth.

CORNWALL harbours pretty fishing villages, smugglers’ inns and world-class eateries where freshly caught seafood is served overlooking turquoise coves.

Walk down coastal tracks to gaze over craggy headlands and jaw-dropping seascapes, and access Cornwall’s 300 beaches.

Beyond the sea and sand, there are the iconic domes of the Eden Project, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, castles, tin mines and subtropical gardens to discover.

The Man Engine, the largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain, is back in Cornwall and Devon at Easter, celebrating mining history.

Bay Hotels has nine great seaside hotels in Devon and Cornwall, including Newquay and Torbay. These are also bookable as self-drive and coaching holidays through Shearings.

Or take a spring break at Berry Head Hotel, in Brixham, Devon, or the Hannafore Point Hotel, in Looe, Cornwall. Both have terraces with panoramic views, perfect for an al fresco lunch.

Helpful Holidays has a great range of cottages in South Devon, while peaceful Axevale Caravan Park at Seaton, Devon, provides 70 self-catering holiday homes a short walk from the town and beach.